Indiana Pacers: Five Realistic 2016 Free Agent Targets
By Kyle Nishida
Point Guard Jeremy Lin
Another Charlotte Hornet is looking for a new home, and he happens to be a good fit with the Pacers. Jeremy Lin would give the Pacers an excellent point guard to backup Jeff Teague.
Lin is another player who has starting experience but build a solid niche for himself being a bench player. Like Courtney Lee, Lin was usually one of the first players off the bench for the Hornets.
He started 13 of 78 games for the Hornets last season and has been a starter for nearly 50% of his career. Unfortunately, he is not a good perimeter shooter. In his career, he is a 34.6% three-point shooter.
Despite limitations with his jump shot, Lin is very good with the ball in his hands. He can finish around the rim regularly and knows how to get everyone involved offensively. He averaged 11.7 points and three assists per game last season.
Lin is a limited defensive player. He has trouble guarding with elite guards (to be fair, most players do), but he holds his own against typical guards. The Pacers will have to account for his defensive weaknesses, but Lin give the Pacers a lot on the offensive side of the ball.
Reportedly, the Hornets are not going to try to re-sign Lin, which give the Pacers one less team to contend with. Lin should not command a lot of money in free agency too so the Pacers should be able to get him at an affordable price.
Lin would add depth to the Indiana Pacers’ bench and give them a solid backup point guard. Remember, Ty Lawson might not be coming back, and Rodney Stuckey is better as a shooting guard even though he has to play point guard at times. Lin would fix both of these situations.
Next: SF Kent Bazemore